Free Aadhaar Card Update: Aadhaar has become an important identity document for people of all age groups. It is required for a wide range of government and non-government services, including school admissions, government schemes, banking services, income tax-related work and job applications.
Children also receive Aadhaar cards, commonly referred to as Baal Aadhaar. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has set a deadline for a free mandatory biometric update for children. Parents should be aware of the September 30 deadline to avoid paying a fee later.
September 30 Deadline for Biometric Update
The deadline announced by UIDAI applies to children who need their mandatory biometric information updated. According to the provided information, September 30, 2026 is the last date for children between 5 and 17 years of age to complete the biometric update free of charge.
The update can be completed without paying a fee until the specified deadline. If the biometric update is carried out after September 30, a charge will apply.
Why Is the Aadhaar Biometric Update Required?
When Aadhaar is initially issued to a child below five years of age, biometric information such as fingerprints and iris scans is not recorded. After the child turns five, biometric details, including a photograph, fingerprints and iris information, are updated for the first time.
A second biometric update is required when the child reaches the age of 15.
UIDAI has also provided a fee waiver for mandatory biometric updates for children in the specified age group. Under the current initiative, children aged 5 to 17 years can complete the required update free of charge.
How to Complete the Aadhaar Update
Parents can take their children to a nearby Aadhaar enrolment centre to complete the biometric update. Special Aadhaar camps are also being organised at several schools to make the process more accessible.
According to the information provided, biometric updates have already been completed for more than 2 crore children across over 1.56 lakh schools under the initiative.
What Happens If the Update Is Delayed?
Completing the biometric update within the specified period can help avoid problems with Aadhaar-based identity verification. Updated Aadhaar details may be required for processes such as school and college admissions, scholarships, government schemes and entrance examinations, including NEET, JEE and CUET.
Parents whose children fall within the applicable age group should therefore check their Aadhaar status and complete the mandatory biometric update within the prescribed deadline.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Aadhaar rules, deadlines, fees and update requirements may change based on UIDAI notifications. Parents should verify the latest information and applicable requirements through official UIDAI channels before completing the update.